G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.2  
 
12 September 2019  
(19-5867) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication, received on 12 September 2019, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of Australia . 
 
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Agricultural Export Legislation - Release of Exposure Draft of the Export Control Bill 2019  
The Australian Government has released an exposure draft of the Export Control Bill 2019 (the Bill), 
with the Bill itself expected to be introduced into the Australian Parliament for consideration late in 
2019.  
The Bill consolidates expo rt-related provisions currently within the Export Control Act 1982 and 
Australian Meat and Live -stock Industry Act 1997 into a single Export Control Bill. Commodity -specific 
requirements will then be reflected in the new Export Control Rules (the rules), w hich will replace the 
current Export Control Orders without changing their intent. Initial consultation on meat, milk, eggs 
and fish rules has already taken place, with drafting continuing on the remaining commodity specific 
rules, due for release in 2020.  Trading partners will be provided with an opportunity to comment on 
all the rules in 2020.  
Trading partners should be assured that existing levels of government oversight and regulatory 
powers will be maintained within the new legislation. Australia's abi lity to meet importing country 
requirements and international trade obligations will not be impacted as a result of these 
improvements.  
Improved export legislation provides the framework for complying with exporting requirements, 
creating a system that is more flexible and efficient to administer. This will ensure the continued 
integrity of Australia's export system and promote consistent and efficient administration across 
Australia's export chains.  
Business practices and regulatory requirements will remai n consistent between the current and future 
legislation. The continuation of current business practices means costs for regulatory services will 
remain the same.  
Further information on the Bill is available from the Australian Department of Agriculture web site at 
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/market -access -trade/improving -export -legislation . 
This addendum concerns a:  
[ ] Modification of final date for comments  
[ ] Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation  
[ ] Modification of content and/or scope of previously notified draft regulation  
[ ] Withdrawal of proposed regulation  
[X] Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force  
[ ] Other:  G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.2  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified measure 
in terms of products and/or potentially affected Members, a new deadline for receipt of 
comments should be  provided, normally of at least 60 calendar days. Under other 
circumstances, such as extension of originally announced final date for comments, the 
comment period provided in the addendum may vary.)  
[ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the adden dum to the notification and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification Authority, 
[X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other 
body:  
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. 
Address, fax number and e -mail address (if avail able) of other body:  
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
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